Pentagon Document Leak: United States Plans Sanctions on NATO Member Spain
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Tensions between the United States and several NATO allies have entered a new phase. The Pentagon is reportedly examining various pressure options against alliance countries assessed as not providing full support in Washington’s impasse with Iran.
A Reuters news agency report states that one option emerging in internal discussions is considering measures regarding Spain’s position within NATO. This discourse reflects Washington’s increasing disappointment with the attitudes of several allies deemed not aligned on key Middle East strategic issues.
According to a US official familiar with the discussions, internal Pentagon documents outline several response scenarios, including political and military pressures against countries refusing to grant base access, flight permissions, or operational support to the United States.
This step indicates a shift in Washington’s approach to its traditional alliances. NATO, long viewed as a collective defence bloc, now faces new dynamics where member commitments are being tested by differing geopolitical interests.
In the context of the conflict with Iran, several European countries are reportedly adopting a more cautious stance. Washington views this attitude as an obstacle to building a unified military response, particularly in terms of logistics and troop mobility.
Besides Spain, other pressure options mentioned in internal discussions include a reevaluation of US policy towards several allied interests, including sensitive issues related to territorial claims. This indicates that Washington is not ruling out using broader geopolitical leverage to force alignment of positions.
On the other hand, domestic dynamics in Spain also influence the country’s position. Discussions on NATO have resurfaced in internal politics, including a referendum proposal submitted by the left-wing party Podemos, although this initiative has been rejected by parliament, as reported by RTVI.
Spain itself has been a NATO member since 1982, with its membership strengthened through a national referendum in 1986. Since then, Madrid has played an important role in alliance operations, though on some strategic issues it has maintained a more independent approach.
Meanwhile, previous reports from Politico also indicate that the US administration under President Donald Trump is considering steps to pressure allies deemed not aligned with Washington’s interests.
Although no official decision has been made, this discourse reveals the potential for cracks in NATO solidarity. If pressure measures are truly implemented, this could change the landscape of the Western defence alliance, which has long been a mainstay of global security stability.